A review by nicadolz
The Alchemy of Flowers: A Novel by Laura Resau

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Alchemy of Flowers is a captivating story about a woman seeking refuge among the flowers of a French garden as she tries to heal from the heartbreak of the life she left behind.

At its heart, this is a story about loss, vulnerability, and healing. Resau writes with care and compassion about the complex grief that accompanies infertility, miscarriage, and endometriosis and how deeply these conditions can impact self-worth and relationships. Too many people feel alone in these experiences and I appreciate how central they were to the main character's development. 

The writing is vibrant and evocative. I could feel the cool river water on my skin, smell the lavender, taste the tisanes (never have I craved floral infusions more!). The descriptions of nature, wine, and food painted a world that felt both grounded and enchanted. The slow build of trust and found family was deeply touching.

Genre-wise, this one is hard to categorize. There’s a touch of magical realism from the whispers of the flowers, a thread of mythology through the lore of the triple goddesses and the Furies, and a foreboding sense of mystery tied to the estate’s dark secrets and deadly threats.  

The pace is slow at first, but then the story finds a steady rhythm until the last 10% or so, which felt mildly chaotic. I listened on audio and loved the narrator’s delivery, especially the Franglish scattered throughout. 

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Resau, and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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